"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
Dates for Starmer to aim for (dates on which he overtakes):
26/06/2026 - Stanley Baldwin (3) 07/08/2026 - Harold Wilson (2) 20/05/2027 - Gordon Brown 18/06/2027 - Neville Chamberlain 16/07/2027 - Theresa May 03/08/2027 - James Callaghan 19/08/2027 - Boris Johnson 14/12/2027 - Winston Churchill (2) 20/03/2028 - Edward Heath
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
Labour MP: “Shabana Mahmood's briefing last night denied the Prime Minister the opportunity to leave with dignity, and as a result, the whole thing is going to descend into a bloody mess from which this government may never recover, no matter who takes over."
After several thousand years blaming the messenger is still popular.
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
The Tom Walker stories of what real Keir is like seem more and more accurate.
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
LOL
Was this a 'political' Cabinet or a normal everyday Cabinet meeting?
There's a difference.
I wonder whether he was hiding behind civil service advice that was a government Cabinet meeting and therefore no direct party political discussion allowed?
I just got emailed by eBay about another antique coffee can. This one is Bloor Derby. We can date it to the 1820s because of that confident red maker’s mark on the base, used by that factory after Bloor took over in 1811. It is possibly 1830s but the style of the mark makes early 1820s much more likely
It is handmade. It is charming. It is ideal for espresso. It is real not fake. It really is ~200 years old
I saw a sign in a fast food shop on Wallgate (Wigan) last year: "We take card payments!" I was intrigued by the thought that this wasn't a given. But I'm glad to hear your report. I got the impression that Wigan was better than it used to be but I never really knew how it used to be.
There was briefly a regular hourly fast service from Wigan to Manchester. It took 20 minutes or so. I'd argue that this was, and could be again (and especially if it were made half hourly) a massive benefit to the town. Not least because (in contrast to Rochdale), Wigan's train stations are gratifyingly central for the town.
Me:
Yes. One issue is the inaccessibility of Central Wigan itself. The town itself is doing quite well. But the collection of small ex-pit towns/villages to the south aren't. (Makerfield constituency where I'm from). Ashton, Bryn. Hindley, Abram and the like. Wigan is the big City to them, requiring preparation and a girding of loins to venture into (only when absolutely necessary). Yep. Card payments accepted. Furore over self service tills in Tesco, (some of which don't take cash!). Quite a number of shops have Cash Only signs. Can get a gorgeous meight 'n prayter pie anywhere, mind.
I know cash only takeaways/eateries in Cumberland.
I was in a village shop last week, that had signs saying “cash is king” and highlighting bank charges for card payments. It was also a Post Office, so I drew some cash out at the Post Office counter, using my card, then paid for my purchases using cash. Honour satisfied.
Strangely, a lot of businesses seem to prefer card payments because of the cost and difficulty of handling cash
Even notoriously iffy businesses like second hand car sales wont touch cash these days. Rather than discount for cash nidge nudge, many will charge a premium if you try and pay for folding.
I saw a sign in a fast food shop on Wallgate (Wigan) last year: "We take card payments!" I was intrigued by the thought that this wasn't a given. But I'm glad to hear your report. I got the impression that Wigan was better than it used to be but I never really knew how it used to be.
There was briefly a regular hourly fast service from Wigan to Manchester. It took 20 minutes or so. I'd argue that this was, and could be again (and especially if it were made half hourly) a massive benefit to the town. Not least because (in contrast to Rochdale), Wigan's train stations are gratifyingly central for the town.
Me:
Yes. One issue is the inaccessibility of Central Wigan itself. The town itself is doing quite well. But the collection of small ex-pit towns/villages to the south aren't. (Makerfield constituency where I'm from). Ashton, Bryn. Hindley, Abram and the like. Wigan is the big City to them, requiring preparation and a girding of loins to venture into (only when absolutely necessary). Yep. Card payments accepted. Furore over self service tills in Tesco, (some of which don't take cash!). Quite a number of shops have Cash Only signs. Can get a gorgeous meight 'n prayter pie anywhere, mind.
I know cash only takeaways/eateries in Cumberland.
I was in a village shop last week, that had signs saying “cash is king” and highlighting bank charges for card payments. It was also a Post Office, so I drew some cash out at the Post Office counter, using my card, then paid for my purchases using cash. Honour satisfied.
At the barbers I go to, it's cash only. No cards of any sort. Strangers who've dropped in for a trim are sometimes sent down to the Post Office for the cash, leaving their coat, or something else of value, behind.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 33s We saw some madness under the Tories. But the Prime Minister literally refusing to discuss with his cabinet the fact 100 of his MPs have just resigned and called for his resignation is pretty close to the top.
St, Helens South - St. Helens, remember, went almost entirely light blue last week - doesn't at first sight seem an obviously safe seat for Burnham to contest.
Amongst the least safe Labour seats today (certainly in by-elections) are the old Labour urban strongholds of the North.
The best bet is probably somewhere with a middle class centrist demographic where Greens and LDs are both roughly equal in support at about 18% with no obvious claim to be best placed to beat Labour, Tories and Reform are down at about 14%, and Labour can win on 30% of the vote with the rest going to the assorted fruit loops who appear at special events. Probably somewhere they were comfortably on 38%+ at the GE.
Like Kenton ward in Newcastle. It needs to be too posh for Reform. Not posh enough for LibDems. Too white for the Greens. Too young for the Tories. It's a tricky demographic to thread.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 33s We saw some madness under the Tories. But the Prime Minister literally refusing to discuss with his cabinet the fact 100 of his MPs have just resigned and called for his resignation is pretty close to the top.
I saw a sign in a fast food shop on Wallgate (Wigan) last year: "We take card payments!" I was intrigued by the thought that this wasn't a given. But I'm glad to hear your report. I got the impression that Wigan was better than it used to be but I never really knew how it used to be.
There was briefly a regular hourly fast service from Wigan to Manchester. It took 20 minutes or so. I'd argue that this was, and could be again (and especially if it were made half hourly) a massive benefit to the town. Not least because (in contrast to Rochdale), Wigan's train stations are gratifyingly central for the town.
Me:
Yes. One issue is the inaccessibility of Central Wigan itself. The town itself is doing quite well. But the collection of small ex-pit towns/villages to the south aren't. (Makerfield constituency where I'm from). Ashton, Bryn. Hindley, Abram and the like. Wigan is the big City to them, requiring preparation and a girding of loins to venture into (only when absolutely necessary). Yep. Card payments accepted. Furore over self service tills in Tesco, (some of which don't take cash!). Quite a number of shops have Cash Only signs. Can get a gorgeous meight 'n prayter pie anywhere, mind.
I know cash only takeaways/eateries in Cumberland.
I was in a village shop last week, that had signs saying “cash is king” and highlighting bank charges for card payments. It was also a Post Office, so I drew some cash out at the Post Office counter, using my card, then paid for my purchases using cash. Honour satisfied.
Strangely, a lot of businesses seem to prefer card payments because of the cost and difficulty of handling cash
Probably dependent on size and volume of transactions. Quite a few places have a minimum value of card payments. I wouldn’t like to comment on the advantages of cash for money laundering.
I saw a sign in a fast food shop on Wallgate (Wigan) last year: "We take card payments!" I was intrigued by the thought that this wasn't a given. But I'm glad to hear your report. I got the impression that Wigan was better than it used to be but I never really knew how it used to be.
There was briefly a regular hourly fast service from Wigan to Manchester. It took 20 minutes or so. I'd argue that this was, and could be again (and especially if it were made half hourly) a massive benefit to the town. Not least because (in contrast to Rochdale), Wigan's train stations are gratifyingly central for the town.
Me:
Yes. One issue is the inaccessibility of Central Wigan itself. The town itself is doing quite well. But the collection of small ex-pit towns/villages to the south aren't. (Makerfield constituency where I'm from). Ashton, Bryn. Hindley, Abram and the like. Wigan is the big City to them, requiring preparation and a girding of loins to venture into (only when absolutely necessary). Yep. Card payments accepted. Furore over self service tills in Tesco, (some of which don't take cash!). Quite a number of shops have Cash Only signs. Can get a gorgeous meight 'n prayter pie anywhere, mind.
I know cash only takeaways/eateries in Cumberland.
I was in a village shop last week, that had signs saying “cash is king” and highlighting bank charges for card payments. It was also a Post Office, so I drew some cash out at the Post Office counter, using my card, then paid for my purchases using cash. Honour satisfied.
Strangely, a lot of businesses seem to prefer card payments because of the cost and difficulty of handling cash
Probably dependent on size and volume of transactions. Quite a few places have a minimum value of card payments. I wouldn’t like to comment on the advantages of cash for money laundering.
Just paid for a Greggs vegan sausage roll using cash.
St, Helens South - St. Helens, remember, went almost entirely light blue last week - doesn't at first sight seem an obviously safe seat for Burnham to contest.
Amongst the least safe Labour seats today (certainly in by-elections) are the old Labour urban strongholds of the North.
The best bet is probably somewhere with a middle class centrist demographic where Greens and LDs are both roughly equal in support at about 18% with no obvious claim to be best placed to beat Labour, Tories and Reform are down at about 14%, and Labour can win on 30% of the vote with the rest going to the assorted fruit loops who appear at special events. Probably somewhere they were comfortably on 38%+ at the GE.
Like Kenton ward in Newcastle. Too posh for Reform. Not posh enough for LibDems. Too white for the Greens. Too young for the Tories. It's a tricky demographic to thread.
Depends. There are probably quite a lot of places like that. Frankly, that's middle Britain. The problem for Andy is that they're mainly in the south.
Dates for Starmer to aim for (dates on which he overtakes):
26/06/2026 - Stanley Baldwin (3) 07/08/2026 - Harold Wilson (2) 20/05/2027 - Gordon Brown 18/06/2027 - Neville Chamberlain 16/07/2027 - Theresa May 03/08/2027 - James Callaghan 19/08/2027 - Boris Johnson 14/12/2027 - Winston Churchill (2) 20/03/2028 - Edward Heath
St, Helens South - St. Helens, remember, went almost entirely light blue last week - doesn't at first sight seem an obviously safe seat for Burnham to contest.
Amongst the least safe Labour seats today (certainly in by-elections) are the old Labour urban strongholds of the North.
The best bet is probably somewhere with a middle class centrist demographic where Greens and LDs are both roughly equal in support at about 18% with no obvious claim to be best placed to beat Labour, Tories and Reform are down at about 14%, and Labour can win on 30% of the vote with the rest going to the assorted fruit loops who appear at special events. Probably somewhere they were comfortably on 38%+ at the GE.
Like Kenton ward in Newcastle. Too posh for Reform. Not posh enough for LibDems. Too white for the Greens. Too young for the Tories. It's a tricky demographic to thread.
Depends. There are probably quite a lot of places like that. Frankly, that's middle Britain. The problem for Andy is that they're mainly in the south.
There are indeed. Few are constituency sized though. I did note with surprise the relatively decent Labour performances in Lincoln and Redditch compared to Wakefield and St Helens. There weren't many of those kinda places up for election this time.
Essex County Council's Reform Group, which now runs the Council, has chosen it's new Leader and Deputy. Both are former Conservative District Councillors.
Dates for Starmer to aim for (dates on which he overtakes):
26/06/2026 - Stanley Baldwin (3) 07/08/2026 - Harold Wilson (2) 20/05/2027 - Gordon Brown 18/06/2027 - Neville Chamberlain 16/07/2027 - Theresa May 03/08/2027 - James Callaghan 19/08/2027 - Boris Johnson 14/12/2027 - Winston Churchill (2) 20/03/2028 - Edward Heath
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 33s We saw some madness under the Tories. But the Prime Minister literally refusing to discuss with his cabinet the fact 100 of his MPs have just resigned and called for his resignation is pretty close to the top.
When they reach the threshold, he can just say how angry he is that he wasn't formally told about it beforehand and then withdraw the whip from then for failing to follow the correct procedure.
St, Helens South - St. Helens, remember, went almost entirely light blue last week - doesn't at first sight seem an obviously safe seat for Burnham to contest.
Amongst the least safe Labour seats today (certainly in by-elections) are the old Labour urban strongholds of the North.
The best bet is probably somewhere with a middle class centrist demographic where Greens and LDs are both roughly equal in support at about 18% with no obvious claim to be best placed to beat Labour, Tories and Reform are down at about 14%, and Labour can win on 30% of the vote with the rest going to the assorted fruit loops who appear at special events. Probably somewhere they were comfortably on 38%+ at the GE.
Like Kenton ward in Newcastle. Too posh for Reform. Not posh enough for LibDems. Too white for the Greens. Too young for the Tories. It's a tricky demographic to thread.
Depends. There are probably quite a lot of places like that. Frankly, that's middle Britain. The problem for Andy is that they're mainly in the south.
There are indeed. Few are constituency sized though. I did note with surprise the relatively decent Labour performances in Lincoln and Redditch compared to Wakefield and St Helens. There weren't many of those kinda places up for election this time.
Labour would win Coventry East if Creagh fancies stepping down.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Essex County Council's Reform Group, which now runs the Council, has chosen it's new Leader and Deputy. Both are former Conservative District Councillors.
Same old, same old?
Yep. A lot of these people left for purely transactional reasons. Several in the Scottish Parliament now. On the whole they are pretty second-rate and more motivated by their personal interests than by political principle or the public interest. Similar dynamic in the US Republican Party, and look where that has got us.
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
Full process was followed....
He's offered personal appointments to discuss it, starting Jan 2027.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
They are fine, but relatively uncontroversial, and they're not going to move anyone's dial.
This is a bit closer to the mark (allowing for hyperbole). Whats mental is if he just went, fuck it - rejoin EU, nationalise rail, nationalise water & do a wealth tax
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
Full process was followed....
He's offered personal appointments to discuss it, starting Jan 2027.
Dont be silly, there will be a working group to explore finding an agreement about an agreement about the exact booking process that needs to followed in order to get an appointment.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
I saw a sign in a fast food shop on Wallgate (Wigan) last year: "We take card payments!" I was intrigued by the thought that this wasn't a given. But I'm glad to hear your report. I got the impression that Wigan was better than it used to be but I never really knew how it used to be.
There was briefly a regular hourly fast service from Wigan to Manchester. It took 20 minutes or so. I'd argue that this was, and could be again (and especially if it were made half hourly) a massive benefit to the town. Not least because (in contrast to Rochdale), Wigan's train stations are gratifyingly central for the town.
Me:
Yes. One issue is the inaccessibility of Central Wigan itself. The town itself is doing quite well. But the collection of small ex-pit towns/villages to the south aren't. (Makerfield constituency where I'm from). Ashton, Bryn. Hindley, Abram and the like. Wigan is the big City to them, requiring preparation and a girding of loins to venture into (only when absolutely necessary). Yep. Card payments accepted. Furore over self service tills in Tesco, (some of which don't take cash!). Quite a number of shops have Cash Only signs. Can get a gorgeous meight 'n prayter pie anywhere, mind.
I know cash only takeaways/eateries in Cumberland.
I was in a village shop last week, that had signs saying “cash is king” and highlighting bank charges for card payments. It was also a Post Office, so I drew some cash out at the Post Office counter, using my card, then paid for my purchases using cash. Honour satisfied.
Strangely, a lot of businesses seem to prefer card payments because of the cost and difficulty of handling cash
Its the risk of being robbed either on site or on the way to the bank
Never quite sure what to make of Paul Mason, but this thread presents an argument for sticking with Sir Keir which is about as cogent as any I have come across.
"What Labour MPs should remember: the 2029 election is winnable, and could be a platform for a decade of progressive government, decisively locking Reform/NatCons out of power...if we think strategically..."
Never quite sure what to make of Paul Mason, but this thread presents an argument for sticking with Sir Keir which is about as cogent as any I have come across.
"What Labour MPs should remember: the 2029 election is winnable, and could be a platform for a decade of progressive government, decisively locking Reform/NatCons out of power...if we think strategically..."
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 33s We saw some madness under the Tories. But the Prime Minister literally refusing to discuss with his cabinet the fact 100 of his MPs have just resigned and called for his resignation is pretty close to the top.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 33s We saw some madness under the Tories. But the Prime Minister literally refusing to discuss with his cabinet the fact 100 of his MPs have just resigned and called for his resignation is pretty close to the top.
Dates for Starmer to aim for (dates on which he overtakes):
26/06/2026 - Stanley Baldwin (3) 07/08/2026 - Harold Wilson (2) 20/05/2027 - Gordon Brown 18/06/2027 - Neville Chamberlain 16/07/2027 - Theresa May 03/08/2027 - James Callaghan 19/08/2027 - Boris Johnson 14/12/2027 - Winston Churchill (2) 20/03/2028 - Edward Heath
Just after Boris sounds ideal.
We can't suffer another year of this...
If you prefer instead a year of speculation over when the Labour party will demand the resignation of PM Rayner so be it.
Party loyalty won't start to recover til we are in the year/18 months from the GE regardless of Starmer in charge or not.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Free Breakfast clubs ?
What are they.
The ability to drop your kids off at school before 8.50. Kind of important if you have a workplace to get to, and somewhat galling to have to pay for. For me, the provision of breakfast was an added bonus (though for other kids will be important).
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Should help with walking and cycling too. More time to drop off and then head to work.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
They are fine, but relatively uncontroversial, and they're not going to move anyone's dial.
This is a bit closer to the mark (allowing for hyperbole). Whats mental is if he just went, fuck it - rejoin EU, nationalise rail, nationalise water & do a wealth tax
I think Starmer so completely lacks in credibility that he wouldn't be able to pull that off - but a new leader could.
This is one reason why I think Labour need to work out what the new strategy for government is and then choose a leader to implement that, so that a new leader can get started straight away. Instead the chances are that - like Starmer - a new leader will have concentrated on the process of becoming leader, and once they are leader they won't have a clue what they're going to do. And by the time they might have worked one out they won't be able to implement it.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Should help with walking and cycling too. More time to drop off and then head to work.
Indeed. On the days when I dropped my kids at breakfast club (this was before it was free, but the point still stands), I would walk the kids down to school about 7.45, walk back, walk to the tram stop, and head in, and be at work for 9. On the days I didn't, I'd drive down to school, park as close as I could, drop them off at 8.50, get back in the car, drive to the tram, park as close as I could, and just make it in to work for 9.30. Parents don't necessarily want to drive their kids to school. But - given that primary schools insist on children being handed over - you can't just leave them in the playground - for many having their cars ready to leap into as soon as they're out the school gate is the only way both school drop off and the commute are possible.
Never quite sure what to make of Paul Mason, but this thread presents an argument for sticking with Sir Keir which is about as cogent as any I have come across.
"What Labour MPs should remember: the 2029 election is winnable, and could be a platform for a decade of progressive government, decisively locking Reform/NatCons out of power...if we think strategically..."
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Back in the day this sort of thing would have been sorted out informally. You'd drop your kid off early at the house of a friend* of theirs, and they'd go to school with them, and you'd do some other favour in return.
* Or, perhaps they wouldn't like the kid, but you know the parents from church, or they're a cousin, or some other social circle in the community.
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
Full process was followed....
He's offered personal appointments to discuss it, starting Jan 2027.
Dont be silly, there will be a working group to explore finding an agreement about an agreement about the exact booking process that needs to followed in order to get an appointment.
You forgot the committee to determine the membership of the working group
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Back in the day this sort of thing would have been sorted out informally. You'd drop your kid off early at the house of a friend* of theirs, and they'd go to school with them, and you'd do some other favour in return.
* Or, perhaps they wouldn't like the kid, but you know the parents from church, or they're a cousin, or some other social circle in the community.
This sort of things still goes on massively. The complex system of accumulating mutual childcare favours is one of the delights of parenting. See for instance the TV show Motherland where this choreography is successfully satirised. Of course, much of this work falls on female shoulders, so the PB demographic may be unaware it is happening!
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
They are fine, but relatively uncontroversial, and they're not going to move anyone's dial.
This is a bit closer to the mark (allowing for hyperbole). Whats mental is if he just went, fuck it - rejoin EU, nationalise rail, nationalise water & do a wealth tax
I think Starmer so completely lacks in credibility that he wouldn't be able to pull that off - but a new leader could.
This is one reason why I think Labour need to work out what the new strategy for government is and then choose a leader to implement that, so that a new leader can get started straight away. Instead the chances are that - like Starmer - a new leader will have concentrated on the process of becoming leader, and once they are leader they won't have a clue what they're going to do. And by the time they might have worked one out they won't be able to implement it.
Should be Miliband then, already proved he's prepared to piss people off by pushing through Net Zero and he could polish his supervillain credentials by doing water, rejoin and wealth tax. Coup de grace would be his ending the triple lock while munching on a bacon roll.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Back in the day this sort of thing would have been sorted out informally. You'd drop your kid off early at the house of a friend* of theirs, and they'd go to school with them, and you'd do some other favour in return.
* Or, perhaps they wouldn't like the kid, but you know the parents from church, or they're a cousin, or some other social circle in the community.
Back in my day - and I'm not THAT old, this was the early 80s - your 8 year old child would walk to school on his own. And he could just wait in the playground with his friends, playing, until it was time to go in. Mind you, in those days, the majority of mums were either stay at homes or just had part time jobs locally, so even if the kids needed to be accompanied there was less pressure to do so.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Back in the day this sort of thing would have been sorted out informally. You'd drop your kid off early at the house of a friend* of theirs, and they'd go to school with them, and you'd do some other favour in return.
* Or, perhaps they wouldn't like the kid, but you know the parents from church, or they're a cousin, or some other social circle in the community.
This sort of things still goes on massively. The complex system of accumulating mutual childcare favours is one of the delights of parenting. See for instance the TV show Motherland where this choreography is successfully satirised. Of course, much of this work falls on female shoulders, so the PB demographic may be unaware it is happening!
Our son will start school next year and I'm already fretting about these kind of logistics...
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Back in the day this sort of thing would have been sorted out informally. You'd drop your kid off early at the house of a friend* of theirs, and they'd go to school with them, and you'd do some other favour in return.
* Or, perhaps they wouldn't like the kid, but you know the parents from church, or they're a cousin, or some other social circle in the community.
Can any labour MP get through an interview without mentioning free breakfast clubs?
Actually, this is a really good policy. It just sounds underwhelming. They ought to be framing it in a way like: "modern life shits all over those who are trying to do their bit: those who are trying to both work and raise a family - those who are doing their bit for the future of our country - find countless obstacles in their way. Labour are trying to dismantle those obstacles."
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
Preparation for school clubs. But Labour doesn't like prep schools.
It was quite a shock when my children got to be school age to find that the state expected me to drop my kids off no later than 8.50am in the morning every day with my employer expecting me to arrive at work 6 miles away at 9am. You could get round this by taking them to breakfast club, but this was £5 a day (ten years ago - I guess it will be more now). Actually having some provision where you can drop them off early, for free, in order to get to work feels like at least the state isn't actively kicking you in the face for trying to do your bit. For me, breakfast is an added bonus (though for many children it will be critical).
Should help with walking and cycling too. More time to drop off and then head to work.
Indeed. On the days when I dropped my kids at breakfast club (this was before it was free, but the point still stands), I would walk the kids down to school about 7.45, walk back, walk to the tram stop, and head in, and be at work for 9. On the days I didn't, I'd drive down to school, park as close as I could, drop them off at 8.50, get back in the car, drive to the tram, park as close as I could, and just make it in to work for 9.30. Parents don't necessarily want to drive their kids to school. But - given that primary schools insist on children being handed over - you can't just leave them in the playground - for many having their cars ready to leap into as soon as they're out the school gate is the only way both school drop off and the commute are possible.
I agree. It's a major step forward for those it impacts. And a removal of a needless barrier to work. Hasn't been fully funded, mind. So most schools are making a loss from it. Which is coming out of other budgets. The handing over thing is because of the laws on in loco parentis. Spent a frustrating proportion of time dealing with complaints from parents about what happened on the bus/outside the school gates. And having to basically say it's nowt to do with us.
Comments
@kitty_donaldson
EXC: A govt source tells me:
"Keir said in Cabinet that he won’t discuss the elections or his leadership, and that he will only speak to cabinet ministers about that individually. Then after the meeting he refused to see Cabinet ministers individually."
26/06/2026 - Stanley Baldwin (3)
07/08/2026 - Harold Wilson (2)
20/05/2027 - Gordon Brown
18/06/2027 - Neville Chamberlain
16/07/2027 - Theresa May
03/08/2027 - James Callaghan
19/08/2027 - Boris Johnson
14/12/2027 - Winston Churchill (2)
20/03/2028 - Edward Heath
There's a difference.
I wonder whether he was hiding behind civil service advice that was a government Cabinet meeting and therefore no direct party political discussion allowed?
I just got emailed by eBay about another antique coffee can. This one is Bloor Derby. We can date it to the 1820s because of that confident red maker’s mark on the base, used by that factory after Bloor took over in 1811. It is possibly 1830s but the style of the mark makes early 1820s much more likely
It is handmade. It is charming. It is ideal for espresso. It is real not fake. It really is ~200 years old
And it is priced at £8.65
https://ebay.us/m/Zf5vKd
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx21669452lo
@DPJHodges
·
33s
We saw some madness under the Tories. But the Prime Minister literally refusing to discuss with his cabinet the fact 100 of his MPs have just resigned and called for his resignation is pretty close to the top.
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2054150519329898948
It needs to be too posh for Reform. Not posh enough for LibDems. Too white for the Greens. Too young for the Tories.
It's a tricky demographic to thread.
Please don't cancel me!
YouGov / Sky / Times
RefUK 28% (+3),
CON 17% (nc),
GRN 16% (+1).
LAB 16% (-2),
LDEM 13% (-1),
YouGov / Sky / Times
RefUK 28% (+3),
CON 17% (nc),
GRN 16% (+1).
LAB 16% (-2),
LDEM 13% (-1),
I did note with surprise the relatively decent Labour performances in Lincoln and Redditch compared to Wakefield and St Helens.
There weren't many of those kinda places up for election this time.
Same old, same old?
I've used breakfast clubs, and even to me they sound fluffy and peripheral (which they very much are not). Perhaps its the association with the 80s film.
This is a bit closer to the mark (allowing for hyperbole).
Whats mental is if he just went, fuck it - rejoin EU, nationalise rail, nationalise water & do a wealth tax
He’d become a hero overnight
https://x.com/jimthegiant/status/2053971410306113663
It's like two virgins having a stab at their first love-making. Wthout having even watched any porn...
Whereas the Tories have worked their way through the entire karma sutra.
https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2054079312110690510
"What Labour MPs should remember: the 2029 election is winnable, and could be a platform for a decade of progressive government, decisively locking Reform/NatCons out of power...if we think strategically..."
Lizzi Collinge, the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale
What are they.
It's been a thing for a long period of time it's also the focus of Gregg's charity.
Party loyalty won't start to recover til we are in the year/18 months from the GE regardless of Starmer in charge or not.
Lorry gets stuck in hole it was sent to fix in Somerset
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/12/lorry-gets-stuck-in-hole-walton-somerset
This is one reason why I think Labour need to work out what the new strategy for government is and then choose a leader to implement that, so that a new leader can get started straight away. Instead the chances are that - like Starmer - a new leader will have concentrated on the process of becoming leader, and once they are leader they won't have a clue what they're going to do. And by the time they might have worked one out they won't be able to implement it.
Starmer is exploiting this and hoping it blows over.
Exclusive in the @Telegraph live blog: Andy Burnham arrives at Euston Station just now amid chaos in No10
Parents don't necessarily want to drive their kids to school. But - given that primary schools insist on children being handed over - you can't just leave them in the playground - for many having their cars ready to leap into as soon as they're out the school gate is the only way both school drop off and the commute are possible.
https://x.com/BCFC/status/2054138327435993468/video/1?s=61
* Or, perhaps they wouldn't like the kid, but you know the parents from church, or they're a cousin, or some other social circle in the community.
Oh yes - he forgot to get elected in 2024 when it was really easy.
Guardian live blog
Just
Coup de grace would be his ending the triple lock while munching on a bacon roll.
Hasn't been fully funded, mind. So most schools are making a loss from it. Which is coming out of other budgets.
The handing over thing is because of the laws on in loco parentis.
Spent a frustrating proportion of time dealing with complaints from parents about what happened on the bus/outside the school gates.
And having to basically say it's nowt to do with us.